Anarchy grips California town as council overrules its own recall, locals threaten members

A bitter political fight in a small Central California city spiraled into chaos last week after three elected officials who were ousted in a recall election voted to keep their seats anyway — sparking threats and intimidation at a packed council meeting.The turmoil erupted Thursday in Avenal, a city of roughly 13,000 residents in Kings County about 60 miles southwest of Fresno, where supporters and opponents of a controversial recall packed City Hall as the council weighed whether to recognize the results of a special election held April 28.Instead of certifying their own removals, Mayor Alvaro Preciado and councilmembers Leticia Gamez and Pablo Hernandez — three of four officials voters sought to remove — voted to reject the recall results and remain in office, The Sacramento Bee reported.The fourth recalled council member, David Reynosa, was absent.City leaders argue the recall was conducted improperly and maintain municipal elections can only be administered by authorized city officials.But critics point to warnings from the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, which last week ordered the city to stop spending public money because, in the county’s view, only one council member is lawfully serving following the recall.The explosive meeting quickly descended into personal attacks.In one video that circulated online, resident Keith Jackson directed comments at Deputy City Clerk Karla Curiel, saying: “Mrs.

Curiel, we want to continue this meeting, go ahead, because they don’t make your mom’s green enchiladas in jail.… Maybe you can help them give them the recipe.”“That was very inappropriate,” Gamez responded from the dais.

The remark drew criticism because the council members and city staff present at the meeting are Latino.Another resident, Thomas Chastine, appeared to mock a council member’s English proficiency during public comment.“I know my constitutional rights, and you can’t tell me anything, ’cause you are not the mayor....